Slugger Rafael Viñales is already training with Cañeros de Los Mochis, a cast of the ARCO Mexican Pacific League. Less than two weeks before the new season starts, the player from Las Tunas enrolls in the most demanding adventure of his sports career.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- Speaking to the official website of “Cañeros,” Viñales said he was very grateful for the opportunity and highlighted the good atmosphere that he perceived on his first day with the team. “I feel quite good, it is a group that seems very united, that welcomes foreigners very well and I think that is good; it feels very comfortable here and I think I will be very well prepared,” he said after first impressions of him with his teammates.

The Most Valuable Player of the 57th Cuba’s National Series said that since he was with the Leñadores of Las Tunas in the Caribbean Series, hosted by Jalisco, he was looking for the opportunity to play in Mexican baseball; so, when he received the offer, started to work harder.

“I was practicing in Havana with the Cuban U-23 team, today, in my first shift I was a little weak, but afterward I could connect well and my expectations are high. I had been checking the team since they made me the offer to come; I was watching several games in Cuba.

The also first baseman and occasional outfielder arrives in Los Mochis to give continuity to the presence of Cuban players in the so-called Green Force, a particularity that has served as a motivation. "I am known for giving myself; baseball means all to me, and I think giving my best with the Cañeros will make me feel very good. As I told you, I have been checking everything and I am very excited ... I also like the colors of the team, which are also the colors of the team of my province, I will play as if each game was the last for me," he added.

The utility likes to play as a catcher, but he also has a lot of experience as a first baseman, and he said he is ready to fill the role that Cañeros needs. “I like to receive; I also play first base but it is a calm position, I feel that as a catcher I am more active, more involved in the ball game, I think that intensity is what activates me to have better results on the field," he concluded.

Besides Viñales, Cañeros includes the pitcher Carlos Juan Viera from Las Tunas; while is waiting for the confirmation of the also former “Leñador” Eddy Julio Martínez, a prospect of the Chicago Cubs for several years.

The new season of the Mexican ARCO League will begin on October 5 with the duels Venados de Mazatlán-Tomateros de Culiacán, Sultanes de Monterrey-Charros de Jalisco, and Águilas de Mexicali-Naranjeros de Hermosillo. Cañeros will start their calendar a day later in Guasave.